CSR : Audio processor includes MIDI synthesiser

CSR and QSound Labs Inc. have announced that CSR’s MusiCore1 is now being offered with mQSynth, a powerful wavetable MIDI synthesiser from QSound. CSR’s MusiCore1 is the world’s first fully featured single-chip stereo audio processor with Bluetooth for mobile phones. QSound’s mQSynth provides MusiCore1 with the capability to support a complete spectrum of audio features including polyphonic ringtones, multi-track game audio and user interface sounds.

CSR’s MusiCore1 technology presents handset makers with the first practical audio processor architecture for phone designs, saving 75 percent of the cost, and over 36mm2 of space of adding a separate audio processor. Handset makers using CSR’s MusiCore1 can, for the first time, have stereo audio along with fully featured Bluetooth on a single chip.

QSound’s mQSynth is a wavetable MIDI synthesiser that supports polyphonic ringtone files, game music and interactive real-time sound events using digital wavetable instruments. mQSynth will also support formats including SMF, SP-MIDI, SMAF, mXMF and JSR135.

MusiCore1 can support decoding of all mainstream music file formats including MP3, AAC, WMA and SBC. The efficiency of CSR’s mature DSP architecture contributes to MusiCore1’s ability to provide a phone with 100 hours of music playback. In addition, MusiCore1 enables sophisticated voice processing in handsets, allowing users to comfortably make calls in noisy environments.

“QSound’s mQSynth engine provides a capability that is directly in line with our own product strategy in delivering the most powerful and complete audio solution for mobile handsets”, commented Felicity Skingley, Product Manager, Mobile Handset Connectivity Business Unit CSR.

David Gallagher, QSound CEO commented, “CSR’s selection of mQSynth as an embedded MIDI synthesiser for MusiCore provides testament to the best in class performance and efficiency of QSound’s technology. It has been gratifying to work with the established industry leader in the Bluetooth market.” Mr. Gallagher added, “The additional availability of QSound’s mQFX, our 3D stereo enhancement solution for multimedia on the MusiCore1 platform provides an attractive, compelling technology and licensing proposition for all leading mobile OEMs.”

Conscious of the limited PCB space of mobile devices, CSR designed MusiCore1 to be even smaller than most Bluetooth chips. Samples of the very compact 3.8x4.8mm CSP or BGA packages are available now and volume production is scheduled to start in September 2008.

About CSR

CSR is the leading global provider of personal wireless technology and its product portfolio covers Bluetooth, GPS, FM and Wi-Fi (IEEE802.11). CSR offers developed hardware/software solutions, based around its silicon platforms, that incorporate fully integrated radio, baseband and microcontroller elements

Note: The above text is the public part of the press release obtained from the manufacturer (with minor modifications). EETimes Europe cannot be held responsible for the claims and statements made by the manufacturer. The text is intended as a supplement to the new product presentations in EETimes Europe magazine.